Rae Fanella: NBA Dancer to Social Justice Lawyer

Penn Carey Law Admissions: Inside the Process with Stephanie Thistle, Director of Recruitment

This episode was recorded in April 2025. Any references to the last admissions cycle pertain to the 2023–2024 cycle. Stephanie Thistle serves as Director of Recruitment for the Penn Carey Law JD Admissions Office. She received her BA in Journalism from New York University and her MSEd in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Following her graduation from NYU, Stephanie worked for several years in fashion marketing in New York before returning to Philadelphia to pursue a career in higher education. She joined the JD Admissions Office as an Assistant Director before ultimately becoming Director of Recruitment, working with applicants through all stages of the admissions cycle. During the post-acceptance process, she supports admitted students through individual outreach, connecting them with students and alumni, planning visit days, and serving as a key resource in decision-making. For the past decade, she has been part of an Admissions team that has enrolled the most academically talented classes in Penn Carey Law’s history.

Rae Fanella: NBA Dancer to Social Justice Lawyer

Rae attended the University of Southern California (USC) and double-majored in Critical Studies in Film and Television (BA) and Dramatic Arts (BA). After graduating, Rae moved to Boston to pursue a professional dance career as a Boston Celtics Dancer. Through personal experiences, Rae was inspired to better understand how the legal system negatively impacts mental health. They went on to volunteer at community organizations in Boston while working as a legal assistant to the general counsel of a real estate investment firm. During their law school career, Rae interned with the Consumer Rights Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services, AIDS Law Project, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, and the Disability Law Center. At Penn Carey Law, Rae is the Co-Chair of If/When/How and the Trans Empowerment and Advocacy Project (TEA). Upon graduation, Rae is pursuing a mental health and consumer rights fellowship. Rae is happy to serve as a sounding board for students interested in public interest careers and can be reached at raefanella@gmail.com

Chris Jones: The Long Way Still Gets You There

Christopher Jones is a third-year law student at the University of Pennsylvania, set to graduate in Spring 2025. Prior to pursuing his legal education, Christopher spent five years in transportation management, where he served as an operations manager for a public bus company. In this role, he supervised bus drivers, dispatchers, and customer service representatives, developing valuable leadership and organizational skills. At Penn Carey Law, Christopher has distinguished himself through his involvement with the Law Review and as an active member of the Black Law Students Association. Following graduation, he will be joining Kirkland and Ellis in their Chicago office, where he will practice in the investment funds group. His path from running transit operations to entering the legal world reflects a steady pursuit of growth, even when it means making big career shifts.

Carson Turner: One Chapter Doesn’t Define your Story

Carson is a final year law student at Penn Carey Law. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a degree in International Relations. While working as a musician and bartender, he hoped to find a graduate program to study the politics of language. Instead, he became a campaign manager for a Tennessee State House race, later serving as Deputy Field Director for Senator Michael Bennet’s presidential campaign and managing a congressional race in Tennessee’s Fourth District. After the 2020 election, Carson worked as a legal assistant in Nashville before enrolling at Penn Carey Law in 2022. Upon graduation, he will clerk for the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals before joining DLA Piper’s Washington, D.C. office in regulatory and appellate practice. His article is forthcoming in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law!

Welcome to the podcast: My Why & What’s Ahead

This season , we’re exploring the many paths to law school through conversations with my Penn Law classmates—sharing their journeys, surprises, and advice along the way. Follow us on Instagram @thesidebarwithcatherine for more tips and updates!